Wu Liang priced the pair of jade butterflies at no more than 1,900 yuan, almost the lowest grade of furnishings in the Jiyun Pavilion - cheap, ordinary, and not worth a second look.
But Qin Hao felt something was amiss from the moment he entered the door.
A kind of "ancient charm" that was faint and elusive, as if veiled by layers of disguise, always tugs at his intuition.
He glanced at Wu Liang who was applying medicine to him behind the counter. With a thought in his heart, a golden light flashed deep in his left eye
The eyes of the Taotie were completely opened.
In the next second, the true appearance of the jade butterfly seemed to peel off from beneath the dust.
"Hiss --"
Qin Hao gasped in astonishment.
Under that crude jade cocoon lies a pair of almost mythical treasures:
The jade is snow-white throughout, flawless, spotless and crack-free, just like the first melting of winter snow.
Even more astonishing is that the entire design is completely "uncarved", presenting naturally formed conjoined butterflies with symmetrical wings, as if they were lives responding to each other from afar.
Jade within jade.
A legendary miracle that is hard to come by.
A truly invaluable treasure.
Qin Hao's chest gave a sharp leap and his breathing became a little heavier.
He knew what he had picked up and understood that he mustn't alert him now.
He peeked at Wu Liang again and quickly calculated in his mind.
If he were to exchange this pair of lowest-priced "inferior goods" for his salary, would the other party be suspicious?
Even bite him back?
The corner of Qin Hao's eye fell on the jade inkstone beside him - a "sign" of appropriate size and price.
So, he gently placed the jade butterfly back in its original position and continued to select it as if nothing had happened.
After applying the medicine at the counter, Wu Liang, probably numb from the pain, regained his courage. He raised his chin and sneered:
"Just pick a fake. Why are you dragging your feet for so long?" "
Qin Hao gave him a glance but didn't respond.
Wu Liang immediately became more demanding: "If it doesn't work out, just say it. I'll pick one for you at random. I guarantee you won't lose out!" "
The onlookers were getting anxious: "Xiao Qin, let Uncle Li pick for you?" "
"Pick your head!" Wu Bapi's eyesight ranks among the top in the antique street. Can I find bargains here with him? You're looking for death!"
"I said it earlier. This kid is too young. I should have forced him to settle the money and leave just now..." "
Qin Hao remained silent.
Wu Liang, however, was so infuriated by the quarrel that he burst into curses on the spot:
What the hell is it? ! "Get out of here all of you!"
Halfway through his cursing, he saw Qin Hao walking back with the jade inkstone and the pair of jade butterflies, and couldn't help but fall silent.
Qin Hao placed two items on the counter with a faint smile:
Stop Shouting. "Mr. Wu, wrap up this jade inkstone." "
Wu Liang was just about to retort, but after pulling at his wound, he instantly backed down.
But when he saw that inkstone, his expression instantly lengthened.
That was the "peerless treasure" he once bought for 50,000 yuan, but when he brought it back, he found it was a fake. I almost got a heart attack out of anger.
Now Qin Hao actually chose it?
He instantly questioned life.
"What?" "Boss Wu doesn't want to?"
Qin Hao raised his eyebrows and raised his fingers. "I'm reminding you, you only have one chance to veto." Decide for yourself whether to use it or not."
Wu Liang was so furious that his teeth went numb.
Just as he was in a dilemma, he noticed the unremarkable pair of jade butterflies in the corner of the counter - as far as he remembered, they had just been brought by Qin Hao.
"What's the matter with this jade butterfly?" "
He pointed at the jade butterfly with a sneer.
"Add a head." " Qin Hao casually said, "No way?" "
Wu Liang snorted coldly and placed the inkstone and the jade butterfly side by side: "No way." "Two. You can only take one away."
Qin Hao said without hesitation, "Then I want the inkstone."
He said this, reaching out his hand without a moment's pause - but the direction was a little off, as if he had grabbed the jade butterfly by mistake, and he smoothly put it in his pocket.
Wu Liang's eyes widened, subconsciously wanting to remind him, but he also felt that Qin Hao's action was so foolish. It didn't seem like he had any ulterior motives at all.
He heaved a sigh of relief and reached out to protect the inkstone.
"See you later." " Qin Hao waved at him.
Wu Liang gave a forced smile and said, "See you later."
The moment Qin Hao stepped out of the door, Wu Liang suddenly realized something was amiss
See you later?
This kid hated him so much that it was too late. Logically, they should have "never met again".
He raised his eyes sharply.
At the door
Qin Hao was holding the pair of jade butterflies in his hands, smiling as brightly as the spring breeze.
The passers-by taunted in unison:
"Xiao Qin, you have plenty of such stalls!" "
"You're still too young!" "
"I was originally thinking of taking you as an employee, but with your discerning eye, I took the wrong person --"
Qin Hao, however, smiled even brighter, as if looking at a group of children who were entertaining themselves.
He held the pair of jade butterflies high, his voice clear:
Uncle Zhang and Uncle Li, both of you are veterans in the antique world.
You say, how much could a pair of naturally formed butterflies among jade be worth?
The air froze instantly.
Wu Liang and the onlookers opened their eyes wide at the same time.
Chapter Interactive topics
If you were Qin Hao, you would choose:
A) Sell the jade of jade right away and make a fortune?
B) Keep it a secret for now and wait until the strength becomes more stable before using it?
C) Secretly investigate the origin of the jade butterfly and figure out why it ended up in a small store like Jiyun Pavilion?